California Beaches: Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara beaches

Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Finding beaches in Santa Barbara is pretty easy: The 2.5 miles of coastline nearest downtown is divided by Stearns Wharf into East Beach and West Beach. These south-facing beauties attract about 10.6 million visitors a year, which is why the city makes no bones about comparing itself to France's Cote d'Azur or Italy's Amalfi Coast in claiming the title American Riviera. Here's a bit of history and an update on the beaches and what you can do nearby. Then Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo in 1542 discovers the area--which was long settled by Chumash Indians--and claims it for Spain. Now About 10.6 million visitors each year discover the beach town for themselves. Many take a spin on the relatively flat 3-mile bike path that runs from Shoreline Park to Andree Clark Bird Refuge. Jasmine Arrua of Santa Barbara pulls off the bike path and sunbathes on West Beach. For more in this series exploring Southern California's beaches, visit our Cruising the Coast page.

Finding beaches in Santa Barbara is pretty easy: The 2.5 miles of coastline nearest downtown is divided by Stearns Wharf into East Beach and West Beach. These south-facing beauties attract about 10.6 million visitors a year, which is why the city makes no bones about comparing itself to France's Cote d'Azur or Italy's Amalfi Coast in claiming the title American Riviera. Here's a bit of history and an update on the beaches and what you can do nearby. Then Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo in 1542 discovers the area--which was long settled by Chumash Indians--and claims it for Spain. Now About 10.6 million visitors each year discover the beach town for themselves. Many take a spin on the relatively flat 3-mile bike path that runs from Shoreline Park to Andree Clark Bird Refuge. Jasmine Arrua of Santa Barbara pulls off the bike path and sunbathes on West Beach. For more in this series exploring Southern California's beaches, visit our Cruising the Coast page. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then California sea otters -- between 13,000 to 20,000 -- plied the waters off Santa Barbara and the rest of the state's coast before becoming nearly extinct in 1830. Now The otters are gone from Santa Barbara's waters, but California sea lions and harbor seals like to hang out here. Check out exotics like Humboldt penguins and lorikeets at the Santa Barbara Zoo at 500 Ninos Drive, which isn't far from the beach. A California sea lion rests on a kayak near Steans Wharf.

Then California sea otters -- between 13,000 to 20,000 -- plied the waters off Santa Barbara and the rest of the state's coast before becoming nearly extinct in 1830. Now The otters are gone from Santa Barbara's waters, but California sea lions and harbor seals like to hang out here. Check out exotics like Humboldt penguins and lorikeets at the Santa Barbara Zoo at 500 Ninos Drive, which isn't far from the beach. A California sea lion rests on a kayak near Steans Wharf. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Barbara's 2.5 miles of coastline attract about 10.6 million visitors a year, which is why the city makes no bones about comparing itself to France's Cote d'Azur or Italy's Amalfi Coast in claiming the title American Riviera.Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times